When it comes to Divine Reserve, the thrill of the hunt and
the taste of victory are just as delicious as the beer itself. Saint Arnold
releases a new Divine Reserve each year (now going into year 13), at select locations in Houston
and around Texas.
The brewery adds to the challenge by releasing the beer on a work day, meaning
office-bound beer aficionados have to sneak away for an early lunch or slink in
late to ensure they obtain a six pack or a bomber. The rest of the workday is
consumed by rampant boasting on social networking sites, with photos of the
prized bounty.

The beast featured on the label for Karbach Brewery’s
Hopadillo has been likened to the legendary chupacabra, but we can’t help
thinking of lots of happy armadillos hopping around as we sip this “Texas IPA.” The thoughts of cute animals don'tdetract from the beer’s
deliciousness, plus Karbach is brewed in Houston,
so if you're a locavore, you really are helping the environment when you drink it.

And, for those who like even more new kinds of animals, you can now get El Hopadillo Negro, a black IPA released last month by Karbach.

Whether you're pondering the meaning of free will, the future of the Astrodome or whether your dog is reading your thoughts (all valid philosophical questions) we're willing to bet you'll be a much better ponderer after a few sips of this Houston brew.

It’s not that we don’t like pumpkin beer. It’s just that
everyone’s doing it, and we’re ready for something else. A zucchini beer,
perhaps? Ok, never mind, let’s just stick with the pumpkin. We don’t need any
more vegetable beers.

Nothing’s more satisfying than sitting back and looking at
that crocheted cat sweater or papier mache toaster cover you just made, and
then sharing your prized creation with the world. Crafty types and
do-it-yourselfers were born to homebrew – you can do it in your garage or even
in that little closet under the stairs.

Saint Arnold designed this beer to be enjoyed after
strenuous activity, and not just mowing the lawn. Lawnmower and its unfiltered cousin,
Weedwhacker, taste just great after painting the house, washing the car,
cleaning the gutters and fixing the roof. They also taste pretty darn good
while sitting on the porch, watching someone else do all of these things.

Belgian beers pay tribute to years and years of monastic
brewing tradition established in Trappist monasteries. The Belgian Tripel doesn't date back quite so far, but man, is it delicious. We recommend Devil's Backbone by Texas brewery Real Ale. The brewery describes it as a strong, pale golden ale. We're too busy drinking to say anything else about it.

Another situation where Miller or Budweiser is often called
into play – a day at the beach. It’s hot, it’s sandy and there are no glass
bottles allowed. Not to worry – Weisse Versa is citrusy and refreshing, and at
5.2 percent ABV, will ensure you don’t need to be rescued from the ocean.

If you want to get your hands on Utopias, you’d better have
time on your hands and a full wallet, because you’ll have to first hunt it down
and then be prepared to blow $160 to upwards of $200, depending on who you’re
buying from.

Many craft beer lovers will revert to Bud Light in heavier-drinking
situations, such as a Texans tailgate party that starts at 8 a.m. After all,
you don’t want to miss out on the big game. But take heart, for you don’t have
to drink swill to ensure a safe and happy gameday. Santo’s alcohol content is
4.7 percent by volume, and it still tastes like a craft beer.

This Colorado brewery’s imaginative labels – In-Heat Wheat and Old Scratch, to name a couple, are illustrated by cartoonist and Hunter S. Thompson pal Ralph Steadman. One label, created for Flying Dog’s Raging Bitch Belgian-Style IPA, got the beer banned from Michigan (too bad for Michigan). You can occassionally get the Raging Bitch on tap at Nobi Public House in Clear Lake.

It's not like you yourself have to stand around for 2 hours waiting for the 120 Minute IPA to become fully-hopped, then wait another month for the beer to be dry-hopped daily, and then another month for it to age. But to truly enjoy a beer brewed with this much care, you're going to have to drink it slow. And if you can stand to put some of it away to age yourself, even better.

- Brooklyn Brewery's Black Chocolate StoutThis beer comes out each year around the holidays, and it tastes so darn good, you'll want to buy it by the case so you can drink it year-round. We just might know someone who actually does this.